I’m in my last semester of Nursing and hope to specialise in Mental Health. I also work part time as a carer in a nursing home.

Your disability in your own words…:

I was born with congenital nystagmus and was classified as legally blind. I am now 20 and deemed as “low vision” but still have various difficulties with my vision on a day to day basis.
I also suffer from various mental illnesses; Anorexia Nervosa, Schizoaffective Disorder (bipolar subtype) and Post traumatic stress disorder. I have been in and out of hospital since the age of 11, and have just recently been discharged from another inpatient stay of 14 weeks in hospital and received TMS and ECT (electroconvulsive therapy).

What did you need to do in order to make this employment/study possible alongside your disability? What obstacles did you have to negotiate and how?:

With university, I am in contact with the Disability support services there. They provide me with additional vision aids, private rooms and extra time for exams as well as enlarged documents which all help a lot. I also always have my computer with me in lectures which have the lecture PowerPoint on it so I can see the notes and what they are talking about etc.
With work, I’m very fortunate to have a very supportive and understanding manager who is very mindful of my disabilities and is flexible with my roster when needed. Sometimes it is hard to come by someone so accepting and lovely, but it is possible!

What advice would you give to someone just starting this journey?:

As corny as it sounds, seriously never give up on your dreams and aspirations. Never take “can’t” or “no” for an answer. ANYTHING is possible- it make take having some extra support, having some extra adjustments, but there’s always a way around obstacles.
A motto I live by is: “prove them wrong”. It’s the best, most satisfying feeling in the world. You can do this. x